Is Lucy a boy, girl, or unisex name?

Lucy is commonly used as a Girl name.

It's currently ranked #34 in the U.S. Recent trend: Rising.

Lucy Girl

Popularity: #34 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: LOO-see //ˈluːsi//

Origin: Latin; English

Meaning: Latin: light; English: derived from the Latin

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Lucy is derived from the Latin name "Lucia," which is rooted in the word "lux," meaning "light." This etymological connection emphasizes brightness and illumination, reflecting the name's association with clarity and enlightenment. The transition from Lucia to Lucy occurred as the name was adopted into Old French as "Lucie" before entering Middle English as "Lucy" in the medieval period.

The name's journey into English showcases the influence of Latin on the vernacular languages of Europe, particularly through the spread of Christianity and the Latin liturgy. Historically, the name Lucy has significant religious connotations, particularly due to Saint Lucy, a Christian martyr who was venerated in the early church.

Her feast day is celebrated on December 13, and she is often associated with light, as her name suggests. The earliest references to Saint Lucy date back to the 4th century, and her story was popularized in various hagiographies throughout the Middle Ages.

The name gained further prominence through the translation of the Bible into various vernacular languages, including the King James Bible in the early 17th century, where names like Lucy were often retained in their Latin forms. Culturally, the name Lucy has been imbued with various symbolic meanings, often representing purity, clarity, and hope.

In literature and art, Lucy has been depicted in various forms, reinforcing her associations with light and virtue. The name has also inspired numerous diminutive forms, such as "Lucie" or "Luce," which have appeared in different cultures, though the primary form remains prevalent.

Overall, Lucy's enduring presence in various cultural and historical contexts underscores its significance as a name that embodies light and virtue.

Famous people named Lucy

Lucy Liu is an actress best known for Kill Bill, Charlie's Angels, and Elementary.

Lucy Hale is an actress and singer best known for Pretty Little Liars, Truth or Dare, and A Cinderella Story: If the Shoe Fits.

Lucy Lawless is an actress best known for Xena: Warrior Princess, Spartacus, and Ash vs Evil Dead.

Lucy Ricardo is a fictional character best known as the lead in the television series I Love Lucy.

Lucy Maud Montgomery is an author best known for Anne of Green Gables, Emily of New Moon, and The Story Girl.

Fictional characters named Lucy

Lucy Pevensie is a fictional character from the book series The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. She is one of the four Pevensie siblings who discovers the magical land of Narnia and plays a crucial role in its adventures.

Lucy van Pelt is a fictional character from the comic strip Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz. She is known for her bossy personality and her role as a psychiatric help provider to Charlie Brown.

Lucy Heartfilia is a fictional character from the manga and anime series Fairy Tail created by Hiro Mashima. She is a celestial spirit mage and one of the main protagonists who seeks to become a great wizard alongside her friends.

Lucy Westenra is a fictional character from the novel Dracula by Bram Stoker. She is a young woman who becomes one of the first victims of Count Dracula, leading to a series of events that drive the plot forward.

Lucy Snowe is a fictional character from the novel Villette by Charlotte Brontë. She is the protagonist who navigates life and love while teaching at a girls' school in Belgium.

Sibling suggestions

Liam Ella Mia Ethan Sophie Jack

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Lucy was first seen in the United States in 1880. Lucy has ranked as high as #86 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in New York, California, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Virginia. In the past 5 years the name Lucy has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Lucy (2024)

Year:

State	Births	Share
CA	405	8%
TX	388	8%
PA	259	5%
NY	251	5%
OH	243	5%
FL	216	4%
IL	199	4%
GA	176	3%
NC	173	3%
TN	158	3%
CO	157	3%
UT	156	3%
MA	151	3%
WA	150	3%
IN	147	3%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

Year	Births
1880	590
1881	611
1882	673
1883	663
1884	787
1885	711
1886	817
1887	811
1888	964
1889	893
1890	973
1891	944
1892	1,057
1893	1,036
1894	1,077
1895	1,016
1896	1,074
1897	984
1898	1,144
1899	1,018
1900	1,246
1901	979
1902	1,065
1903	990
1904	1,086
1905	1,132
1906	1,077
1907	1,152
1908	1,118
1909	1,175
1910	1,283
1911	1,309
1912	1,636
1913	1,856
1914	2,298
1915	2,814
1916	2,877
1917	2,929
1918	3,108
1919	3,007
1920	3,018
1921	3,157
1922	2,977
1923	3,002
1924	2,978
1925	2,766
1926	2,545
1927	2,542
1928	2,321
1929	2,128
1930	2,121
1931	1,827
1932	1,829
1933	1,747
1934	1,647
1935	1,510
1936	1,446
1937	1,450
1938	1,427
1939	1,409
1940	1,382
1941	1,444
1942	1,335
1943	1,316
1944	1,208
1945	1,146
1946	1,236
1947	1,322
1948	1,342
1949	1,397
1950	1,289
1951	1,269
1952	1,415
1953	1,565
1954	1,531
1955	1,404
1956	1,362
1957	1,351
1958	1,252
1959	1,206
1960	1,130
1961	1,086
1962	1,009
1963	935
1964	949
1965	870
1966	754
1967	687
1968	669
1969	581
1970	504
1971	426
1972	415
1973	348
1974	384
1975	326
1976	346
1977	311
1978	291
1979	350
1980	439
1981	434
1982	466
1983	410
1984	426
1985	487
1986	501
1987	505
1988	514
1989	544
1990	551
1991	521
1992	521
1993	524
1994	536
1995	576
1996	647
1997	700
1998	700
1999	815
2000	980
2001	1,041
2002	1,211
2003	1,475
2004	1,642
2005	1,964
2006	2,259
2007	2,571
2008	3,074
2009	3,180
2010	3,634
2011	3,703
2012	3,818
2013	3,948
2014	4,298
2015	4,555
2016	4,604
2017	4,604
2018	4,378
2019	4,476
2020	4,367
2021	4,452
2022	4,444
2023	4,882
2024	5,396